Participant Hires Former Sony Pictures Exec Ann Boyd for Top PR Slot

Veteran exec to serve as exec VP of communications

Participant Media has hired veteran PR exec Ann Boyd for the newly created post of executive VP of communications.

Boyd will oversee communications strategy and operations for Participant’s film and documentary division, its new TV network Pivot and its digital lifestyle brand TakePart.

Boyd most recently served as exec VP of global communications at Sony Pictures Entertainment, handling its corporate communications and social responsibility teams. She was also a studio representative for the Motion Picture Association and Creative America Coalition.

Boyd will report directly to Participant CEO Jim Berk.

“Ann is a highly respected communications professional with experience leading digital and traditional entertainment companies and global brands,” Berk said. “As Participant expands both globally and into new media, Ann will lead a multiplatform communications group charged with increasing the visibility of our content and reach of our social impact.”

Before joining Sony in 2008, Boyd was VP of corporate communications for Fox Interactive Media, which included online properties such as MySpace, IGN and Rotten Tomatoes. Prior to that, she worked for AOL, where she led music and entertainment communications.

Participant has produced more than 40 films since its founding in 2004, including “An Inconvenient Truth” “Waiting For Superman,” “The Help,” “Contagion” and “Lincoln.”

News about Boyd departing Sony emerged in October with the studio bringing in Charlie Sipkins to head up the department.